SIDMOUTH S two marathon men successfully completed the tough Nice to Cannes marathon in France on Sunday. For first time marathon runner, hotelier Mark Seward, it was a fantastic achievement, crossing the line in four hours 37 minutes. He was just seven m

SIDMOUTH'S two marathon men successfully completed the tough Nice to Cannes marathon in France on Sunday.

For first time marathon runner, hotelier Mark Seward, it was a fantastic achievement, crossing the line in four hours 37 minutes.

He was just seven minutes ahead of his running partner, Richard Hedger, managing partner at Sidmouth's Michelmore's solicitors, who bettered his time last year of five hours 03 minutes to four hours 44 minutes. The two friends ran together for all but the last two miles, said Mark Seward, who described his first marathon as "brilliant".

He said: "It went very well. I had a bit of a sprint at the finish. It was tough but the weather conditions were just right, not too hot and the French public were very supportive along the route."

The 42-kilometre run took the men through beautiful scenery, which, said Mark "made it a nice thing to run a marathon right by the Mediterranean. We could see the Alps beyond Nice with snow-capped mountains."

As a newcomer to the marathon challenge, Mark valued Richard's good conversation, which helped get him through tough moments.

"It is a personal mental battle; that is where the training pays off and having a running pal," he said.

"We gave each other moral supportbut, at the end, I couldn't cope with much more of him reciting poetry!"

Neither men got cramp or blisters during the run.

Richard said: "I thoroughly enjoyed it. It really is a tough slog but it is a great feeling to complete the course and I am pleased to beat last year's time.

"My legs are a bit stiff; I feel like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz!

"It is really good to raise a bit of money for the Breast Cancer Campaign and I am overwhelmed by the generosity of people."

He has raised �975 so far "with people dropping in more", while Mark expects to reach �1,500 for the charity.

Of Mark's performance Richard said: "He was a star; it was all down to my training!"

The duo hopes to compete in the Rome marathon in March 2010.